Catalytic Converter Question?

[larryboz]

I bought an 1986 3/4 ton Heavy Duty Chevy truck 454. It is rated at 8600 and up and it has the 14 bolt Full floater under it. It came from factory with out a converter on it. I talked with a couple inspectors and they said it has to have a converter on it to pass inspection and I disagree it did not come with one as I think it was 1988 that Heavy Duty trucks started requiring converters. I am in Kansas City , Mo. Does anyone have any knowledge on this subject. Both Gas Tanks have the big filler necks on them and no unleaded fuel only stickers are on it anywhere. I just need proof of this before I go to get it inspected.

Larry

[kevinr1970]

There should be a decal on your core suport detailing what emmissions controls you have. Amongst other things.

But that is not the definate answer.
I was trying to get a truck passed here in WA (this will differ of course for your area). The inspector told me before I could get a waiver for meeting the $ threshold ($150 for a 1982) I would have to have the equipment listed on the decal. He said they verify it by a VIN check which will give them what was installed by the factory.

I have an '87 2wd that had single headlights and came with a 4.3 that had a smog-pump. I swapped in a core support from another '87 that had dual headlights and came with a 5.0 without a smog-pump (the only one of these years truck I have ever seen that didn't come with one). Thought I was in business until I was informed about the VIN check?

Of all the crew cabs I have looked at lately not a single one had a cat and they weren't listed on the decal either. I don't think any of the heavy duty 3/4 tons or 1 tons were required to have them. Light duty 3/4 tons might be different and I would guess CA might require them too?

For your situation I would ask some more questions. If they weren't required when new I don't think they can require them now.

[Srubydo1986]

in virginia in prince william. As far as i know if it didnt come with a cat it acnt have one know cause of all the heat it gives off and the car not being made with one.

My chevelle is excempted casue of age but my truck i got a little trick. I went to dmv and told them my 1986 2 wd 1/2 ton was rated to haul 10,001 (aka 10001 gross vehical weight) they did it with out a question so because of that my truck does not have emissions. so no cat needed cause of the truck tags i carry.

That me here in this state i might have got luck and the inspecter saw my truck and just let it go cause i let him move it around the lot. It a bit loud and i think he liked how responsive it was.

[78chev]

Sounds like a lot of hassle and possibly money, I'd just get one from a junk yard & put it in.
Take it out after the inspection if you want.

[KIILew]

Larry,

You are absolutely correct that your 1986 model year Chevy truck with an 8,600 lb GVWR would not have a catalytic converter, and I have the Chevy Data Book pages somewhere to prove it. In fact, your truck came from the factory with a non-catalyst dual exhaust system.

The only stickler could be if your rig is actually a 1987 model year truck with the new-for-that-year 454 EFI engine. In that case, the original exhaust system would have a single forward converter, a single muffler, and a secondary catalyst immediately following the muffler. Also, fuel filler restrictors and unleaded fuel only markings would be in evidence on an un-altered vehicle. Actually, all ’87 EFI engines were equipped with converters regardless of engine displacement or GVWR. An important corollary is that many early production '87 models were manufactured in the later months of the 1986 calendar year and those would be subject to the 1987 equipment specifications and emission laws too. Your knowledge and narrative certainly suggest this is not a relevant issue here, but many other folks have been bitten by model year/calendar year build date timing inconsistencies in situations like yours, so I mention it anyway.

As far as providing adequate proof to the inspectors, I agree with Kevin -- the factory installed under-hood emission control spec/routing decal should be adequate (but I am no smog inspector, so I don't really know). If that is not in place, then perhaps a page copy out of my aforementioned GM data book would be appropriate. Some of my parts listing and illustration book pages (GM printed) might also suffice.

Let me know if you need me to email any thing or fax you something. My actions may not be instant because my literature is kept in an offsite storage facility, but I would be happy to help, if possible.

The '70's and '80's trucks seem to be a real frustration for these emission inspectors (and the truck owners) because the vehicles were manufactured at a time when smog control application was entirely dependent upon vehicle as-manufactured GVWR and the engine option installed. The whole mess is complicated by the fact that the EPA shifted the GVWR threshold delineating light duty vs. heavy duty emission class a few times over the years. And then there are those California and High Altitude variations…!

Good luck in educating your inspectors!

Ken Lewis

[68GMC454]

so is this why my 84 3/4 with a 454 doent have cats....it has duals that are so rusty the pipes got to be as old as the truck...interesting..i dont need them where i live anyway,,but if you got to have them on and they not testing them,,,just go to the junk yard and knock the insides out,,then weld them on..

[82c10]

just move to oklahoma, the land of no emissions laws!

[Duro5341]

Anything 8600lbs GVW and over is considered Heavy Duty, and is execpt from emission here in Canada. This was in effect till 88 i believe, then it was increased to 9600lbs. But if it came factory with no cats, then it doesn't require them for inspection. But this is a grey area, just find a set of junked cats, and hollow them out, and weld them in....it'll look like you have cats, but you don't

Duro

[Dean]

My 85 C20 8,600 never had a converter and was even still for regular gas. I had a long discussion when they did emissions in Ohio and they finally agreed with me. It even states it in the 85 owner's manual that it didn't have it.

[bobbo]

I am an inspector in Springfield, MO and I know that if it does not have converters that are factory installed, it does not need them. We get alot of farmers down here that run older trucks and we inspect them all the time with no converters. If the decal under the hodd states there are no converters, then they should pass it. If not, take it to your local State Patrol office and have them check it, they will tell you for sure and have the final say on it.

[larryboz]

Thanks for the replies guys. I am going to talk to the inspector and make sure he knows this before I let him inspect it.

Thanks

Larry